Conversion therapy ban to appear in the King’s Speech

Humanists UK welcomes reports that this week’s King’s Speech will commit the new Labour Government to banning so-called conversion ‘therapy’. This follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s renewed commitment earlier this year to ban these coercive, ineffective and torturous practices.

Conversion ‘therapy’ is a discredited and harmful practice, usually rooted in false and often pseudoscientific or religious beliefs about what causes people to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. It is widely condemned by medical professionals, human rights organisations, and mental health experts for its harmful effects, which can include depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Despite growing calls for its prohibition, the practice continues to persist in various forms, perpetuating discrimination and psychological trauma.

The Conservative Government first committed to ban conversion practices in 2018. However, after years of uncertainty and wavering support, any mention of a ban was conspicuously absent from last year’s King’s Speech, and the Conservative Government ultimately failed to deliver on their promise.  Parliamentarians then took matters into their own hands with two Private Member’s Bill making their way through both Houses of Parliament. Humanists UK patron Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat) introduced her Private Member’s Bill to the House of Lords in November 2023.  A second Private Members’ Bill was introduced to the House of Commons by Alicia Kearns MP (Conservative) on behalf of All-Party Parliamentary Humanists Group member Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP (Labour). However, both Bills fell when the General Election was called.

LGBT Humanists, a volunteer-led section of the UK celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, have been at the forefront of the campaign to ban conversion therapy since its formation (as the Gay Humanist Group).

LGBT Humanists Coordinator Nick Baldwin commented:

‘The campaign to ban conversion practices has been a long and difficult road. We hope this latest report – that a ban will feature in the King’s Speech – is true, and that the new Government will finally deliver a ban that will effectively and robustly protect the whole LGBT community.’

LGBT Humanists campaign for a ban on therapies, services, and other practices that have a predetermined purpose to change, deny or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity because of prejudiced assumptions that a particular sexual orientation or gender identity is better than any others. LGBT Humanists do not seek to ban appropriately informed and ethical medical or psychological services that are essential for people in exploring and coming to terms with their identities – whether or not an individual subsequently comes to identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans.